Lawmakers get an earful on federal debt debate

The fight over the debt ceiling increase is propelling the frustration level of many voters to new heights, and they are making their feelings known to federal lawmakers.

At the offices of U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, calls are running about “half and half” between urging compromise and urging her to “dig in” and vote against any increase in the debt limit, said Steve Walsh, a spokesman who works from her Jefferson City office.

Hartzler’s Fourth District will trade Cole County for Boone, Randolph and Audrain counties under the redistricting plan approved earlier this year. “We have had several hundred calls, not just here in the provinces but in Washington as well,” Walsh said. “The sentiment at first was compromise. Then it was stand firm.”

The debt limit, $14.3 trillion dollars, must be increased by Tuesday for the federal government to pay all its budgeted obligations. Republicans have insisted significant budget cuts accompany any increase, but Speaker John Boehner was unable to round up the votes last night for a measure that would add enough to the ceiling to keep the government operating as normal for about six months. His plan included $915 billion in budget cuts over 10 years.

Democrats have given up trying to increase revenues to cut the budget deficit but insist any deal on the debt ceiling and cuts must carry the government through the 2012 elections.

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., will be on the ballot next year. She held a conference call this morning with people from around the state who have written her letters about the debt ceiling debate.

“I have never seen such silliness, and if it were my employees, they would be gone.” nurse Pamela Joggerst of Smithville told McCaskill.

McCaskill noted many of the letters her office has received criticize President Barack Obama for failing to lead in the debt crisis.

“There is a disappointment with the president for failure to come forward with a detailed plan earlier and failure to lead, and there is some validity to that,” said McCaskill, an early and ardent supporter of Obama in 2008.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., also has been hearing that Missourians expect success and are upset with Congress for failing to find a solution, said Amber Marchand, a spokeswoman in his Washington office.

On Blunt’s Facebook site, retired Navy seal Bill Gale told Blunt: “Senator, do not fold. Obama is the one under pressure here. … It’s his ball game and his responsibility to compromise with the Congress.”

But Linda Kay Dickens blamed the tea party members who won’t agree to raise the debt limit at all. “I’m just glad that the Tea Partiers are showing their true colors and are being recognized as the threat to America that they are.”

They were reacting to Blunt’s interview on MSNBC, when he said he has been working for a compromise but opposes any measure that includes a tax increase. “Nobody is going to get everything they want here,” he said.